Staff Writer
The Aroostook Mental Health Center recently opened a new facility in Caribou. The Center for Integrated Neuro-Rehab (CINR) celebrated an open house on Thursday, Nov. 15 at its 7 Russ Street location just off South Main Street. The center opened in September 2007 and currently serves 8-10 clients, with a goal to grow to a clientele base of 30.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Andrew Dyer
Visitors at the Nov. 15 open house at the Center for Integrated Neuro-Rehab included in front from left: Gary F. Wolcott, program manager, brain injury services from the Maine State Department of Health and Human Services and Kate Collicott, CINR program director. In back: Lewis and Clara Lamont who have both been on the ABIAC brain injury council since its inception.
CINR is a facility designed to help victims of traumatic brain injury to recover, using a holistic approach, which includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and recreation therapy.
The center was envisioned and developed by Kate Collicott, AMHC’s speech and language services program director. CINR is designed to meet the needs of clients throughout Aroostook County, providing services, which were not offered north of Bangor previously.
“I think the service was greatly needed. I know all of the clients we’ve talked to are ecstatic that we’re providing this service here,” said Recreational Therapist Emily Steinhauer.
CINR has a treatment team of four who work with clients to develop an individualized plan to achieve their personalized rehabilitation and lifestyle goals. Staff also take into account input from family members, caregivers and involved health care providers in developing plans.
The core team of four is comprised of Betty Hendrickson, Dave LeTourneau, Steinhauer and Tabitha Doody. The facility also contracts services from Pam Searles, occupational therapist; Sue Sjoberg, physical therapist and Martha MacIntosh, neuro-psychologist.
Through the four branches of therapy clients receive a well rounded approach at rehabilitation. Through physical therapy clients reduce pain and improve balance, coordination, gross motor movement, overall mobility, physical strength and endurance. Through occupational therapy clients improve their strength, dexterity, visual acuity, decision making, abstract reasoning, problem solving and perceptual skills, and regaining daily living skills such as dressing, cooking and eating. Speech and language therapy helps clients to improve cognitive-communication skills, such as talking, understanding, memory and social integration. Through recreation therapy and community re-integration clients take part in arts and crafts, sports, music, board and floor games as well as community activities, such as bowling, shopping or going to the movies. These activities help clients by reducing depression and anxiety and reinforcing social skills, and building confidence.
The CINR also provides transportation for clients from Houlton to Madawaska, to make their services more easily attainable for Aroostook County residents.
On hand for the open house was Gary F. Wolcott, program manager of brain injury services office of adults with cognitive and physical disability services, at the Maine State Department of Health and Human Services.
“The opening of this facility is going to make a tremendous difference for people in Aroostook County who have suffered a brain injury. Services in this region have been limited in the past, so it’s a benefit to people in Aroostook County and across the state. I came today to congratulate Kate and her staff and all of AMHC on the opening of this facility,” said Wolcott.
